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Volume 6, Issue 42, October 22, 2008 |
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Despite the recent changes that have left the aviation industry stumbling, the International Air Transport Association and its 230 member airlines are continuing to push ahead with Green Vision. Leading the initiative is the search for sustainable biofuels, even though related costs are still unknown.
Step one is to reduce 18 percent of the wasted aviation fuel in an effort to reduce carbon emissions, according to IATA. The goal is to have 10 percent of airlines’ fuels replaced by alternative fuels by 2017. Europe is currently leading in the development of alternatives. Governments must provide improved infrastructures, technology investments and financial incentives to push forward with the plan.
Upgrading engines and airframes will help create immediate gains. By 2020, 25 percent of fuel can be saved by creating a new generation of engines and wings, using lightweight materials, renewing fleets, developing more efficient airports and flying more direct routes. The ultimate goal of Green Vision is to have “zero emission” aircraft operating by 2050.
Looking towards the future, researchers are currently trying to create a variety of biofuels to operate aircraft. Sugars, starches, oils, fats and other farm products are considered first-generation biomass fuels and are currently not allowed for aviation use as they compete with food production. Second-generation biomass fuels are developed from forest, farm and municipal residues. Third-generation biomass fuels, developed from algae, have the highest potential for reducing emissions, but there is still a long way to go in the research field. 
Passengers traveling through Los Angeles International Airport (LAX) will have plenty of Californian fare to choose from with the opening of five SoCal favorites. La Brea Bakery, a popular bakery known for its artisan breads, has opened in Terminals 1, 2 and 7. Baja Fresh, a Newberry Park, Calif.-based chain, joins the bakery in Terminal 7. On the Border Mexican Grill and Cantina will be serving Mexican favorites to Delta passengers in Terminal 4. Gladstone’s Seafood, a popular Malibu restaurant, will open its doors to Terminal 3 passengers later this year.
AMR, parent company of American Airlines, has announced plans to order 100 Boeing 787 Dreamliners. Forty-two airplanes have already been ordered with options for 58 more. All 100 planes will be delivered by 2020, with the first ones arriving from 2012 to 2018. Airline officials are anticipating possible delays to this schedule. Book value for this deal is $20 billion.
In other American Airlines news, plans are underway to offer an a la carte pricing menu. This is an attempt to offset other costs. The principle behind the system allows for lower base fares, while consumers pay for all the extras, like window seats. American, the first U.S. carrier with plans to introduce the system, has not yet unveiled the offerings on its a la carte menu.
The Korean tourism industry has seen an overwhelming interest in the country’s booming cosmetic surgery field. Looking to further develop the market, the Seoul city government is offering medical tourism packages. The “Seoul Beauty Tours” will boost revenues by offering the finest cosmetic medical services in conjunction with trips to the area. The Seoul Tourism and Marketing Corporation surveyed Chinese travel industry experts and found that 65 percent recommended campaigning to lure more medical tourists. Korea soon hopes to find itself as the regional medical tourism hub.
InterContinental Hotels Group has partnered with Shimao Group to open six new hotels in China by 2013. Already the largest hotel chain in China, IHG will expand three of its signature brands, InterContinental, Crowne Plaza and Holiday Inn. Over the past few years, IHG has signed about half of all the hotel deals in China, with more than 100 IHG properties to be opened by the end of 2008 and 100 more in development. The Shimao Group is a leading Chinese real estate, commerce and hotel development company.
As fuel prices continue to drop, three airlines have announced lower fuel surcharges on all flights. Lufthansa has dropped the surcharge $3 on intra-European routes and $5 on long-haul routes. The new charges are reflected in ticket prices from Oct. 20. British Airways announced lower charges that became effective Oct. 16. Return flights lasting more than nine hours saw decreases of approximately $50. On economy-class, long-haul flights, charges were reduced by approximately $40. Premium-economy passengers will see reductions around $20. Virgin Atlantic Airways has also dropped charges by up to approximately $23, dependant on destination and cabin.
Kurfurstendamm 27
10719 Berlin, Germany
tel 49 30 884340
www.kempinski-berlin.de
When it comes to location, the Kempinski Bristol Berlin has definite bragging rights. Situated on a busy corner on the Kurfurstendamm, the hotel is conveniently located near some of the best shopping in the city, many wonderful places to dine (including in the hotel) and the starting point for a variety of tours. Not to mention, it is only blocks from the famed KaDeWe, a multi-floor shopping mecca.
I was welcomed to my suite with a bouquet of fresh roses, a bottle of wine, chocolates and a fruit basket. The spacious living room housed comfortable seating (a couch and two armchairs) and plenty of table space, including a desk. The Internet was available for a fee and I winced a bit as I paid. Both the living room and bedroom had TVs and the large bathroom featured two vanity areas. However, the highlight was the balcony which ran the length of the room — all three outer walls were covered in windows and the view was fantastic.
The rest of the hotel met the same standards — the buffet breakfast offered anything a hungry traveler could want, the concierge was knowledgeable, helpful and friendly and the valet/bell service was very efficient. All in all, the Kempinski Bristol Berlin is a great choice in a premiere Berlin location.
Score: ••••• Kimberly Krol
Through Nov. 30, two Miami properties, Park Central Hotel and The Hotel, are offering a special opportunity to Fall Back in Time. The package includes complimentary room upgrades, a specially priced bottle of wine (the $19.97 price honors The Hotel’s opening year), complimentary Prohibition-era cocktails, a tour of the Art Deco District with access to The Wolfsonian, a 19th and 20th century art museum and free rooftop movies, screened Thursdays and Sundays. A two-night stay is mandatory and rates vary at each hotel. Call 800 727 5236.
The Inn Marin offers two packages that make enjoying Wine Country a bit more thirst quenching. The Wine Country Tour package includes a Town Car sedan for a four-hour tour, including three to four winery stops with tastings included. Rates begin at $431 per night for two guests including breakfast and the tour. The second package includes a one-and-a-half hour guided horseback tour through the Roche Winery, a one-night stay for two and a tasting beginning at $289.50. Visit the Web site or call 415 883 5952 for more information.
Air Tahiti Nui is gifting its Tahiti-bound passengers with black pearls. The airline teamed up with Robert Wan, the king of the Tahitian black pearl, to honor its 10th anniversary. First- and business-class passengers will receive the gems onboard while economy passengers will receive vouchers to retrieve pearls at stores in Tahiti, Moorea or Bora Bora. The offer is available through Jan. 15, 2009.
Popular New York sightseeing company, Gray Line, is offering a special winter sale. Through Dec. 31, patrons purchasing an “All Loops 48/72 hrs. Holiday Special” ticket will receive complimentary admission to one of the following attractions: a one-hour Zephyr NYC Harbor Tour, Statue of Liberty Express Cruise or Meet a Broadway Performer. The tickets also include entrance to The Cloisters and Intimate Harlem loop, The Discover Staten Island Tour and the Sport Museum of America. Purchase tickets online (for an additional savings of $4) or call 800 669 0051.
Korean Air is introducing a new program to help small- and medium-sized businesses take advantage of travel deals. Koreanair.com SME Partner Program allows members to enjoy savings on Korean Air flights. The savings are also available on certain codeshare flights. All companies with less than $100,000 annual spending on Korean Air are eligible. No enrollment or booking fees apply. Enroll online.
